Reviews

Devil May Cry 4

It's also worth noting that whether you play the game on PS3 or on Xbox 360, there's going to be something that gets on your nerves, and that's beyond the annoying industrial-meets-butt-rock soundtrack. We've documented the ergonomic issues we had with the 360 version in the past, and you'll undoubtedly want to go in and custom-configure your controls for targeting, as the Right Bumper is highly uncomfortable if you've been playing DMC for years on Sony consoles. Also, since you won't have the option to install game data to the 360 hard drive, load times are a little longer than on PS3, though hardly unbearable.

On PS3, you'll get lightning-fast loads once in-game but you'll also have to go make a sandwich when you first pop the Blu-ray into your console. It takes a little over twenty minutes to install nearly five gigabytes of data before you can make your first slash with the Red Queen. If you're playing a DMC game for the first time, you'll at least appreciate the short looping installation video that breaks down the events of the last three games.

Visually, DMC4 is a dynamo. The action seldom dips below sixty frames per second, and although the game recycles a lot of its artwork, from stages to waves of the same villains, it's still a gorgeous game. From the snowy peaks of the Fortuna Hills to the mysterious forests where both demon hunters must do battle to the Tuscan-inspired town of Fortuna, each stage has a look that's as distinguished as it's detailed. It's also worth noting that the cinematics that pepper the storyline look amazing. The dialogue and voice acting get a little cheesy sometimes, but the cut-scenes are visually dazzling enough to cast those concerns aside. The epic introductory movie is among the best we've seen in a Capcom game.

DMC4 also marks a movement into online for the first time. Granted, there's no multiplayer, but you'll be able to check your ranks against other players worldwide. Are you insane enough to nail SS on Dante Must Die-level difficulty? In that case, see how you fare against other gamers around the world. For completionists, you'll also have secret missions hidden within areas of each stage where you can go for high scores and collect some extra upgrade orbs.

After six years and one nasty stumble, the DMC series continues to offer polished, high-octane action and Devil May Cry 4 is no exception. The gameplay gets a refreshing shot in the arm thanks to the shift away from Dante and toward the new character Nero. It's not without some flaws, though. The Dante sections are retreads of previous levels with the twist that you're replaying them with DMC3's controls, and it feels a little cheap to be presented with rehashed levels and boss battles around the game's climax. Also, both versions have platform-specific issues that are a bit annoying. Even so, the amazing visuals, 60 fps action and phenomenal cut-scenes make for an enjoyable experience. DMC4 doesn't completely outstrip its predecessors, but it's a fun romp nonetheless.